News

Where the wild things are

admin — Tue, 22 Sep 2026 12:52:20 +0000

Dave Laufenberg with his dog, Tui, who originally came from the Assiniboine and Sioux Indian Reservation in Wolf Point, Montana. They are pictured on land that was recently home to two plants - corn and soy - and now boasts around 200 species. Photo by Matt Geiger.

“Farming is this beautiful intersection of all things,” says Dave Laufenberg. “Everything comes together on the farm.”

Laurence Kruckman publishes debut book of local stories: ‘Driftless Anthology: Coming of Age in Western Wisconsin’

admin — Tue, 22 Sep 2026 12:51:16 +0000

Laurence Kruckman with Carolyn White. Photo contributed.

A new book published by Little Creek Press on August 15 shines a light on the people and places that make this region special. Readers of the Mount Horeb Mail will likely recognize some of these tales by Laurence Kruckman, which have appeared as his “Village Vignettes” in these pages.

Sports editor Reischel wins Football Writers of America award

admin — Tue, 22 Sep 2026 12:50:31 +0000

Rob Reischel, Sports Editor for the Mount Horeb Mail, recently received a Professional Football Writers of America Dick Connor Writing Award.

In addition to his work for Finger Publishing, which owns the Mail, Reischel covers the Green Bay Packers for Conley Media and Forbes Sports.

WHEN TO SPEAK, WHEN TO LISTEN: PUBLIC DIALOGUE IN AN ERA OF POLARIZATION

admin — Tue, 15 Sep 2026 15:31:54 +0000

How can we have conversations that bring us together rather than drive us further apart in an era of increasing political, algorithmic, and social polarization?

THE LOUISIANA PURCHASE, TRIBAL SOVEREIGNTY, AND THE HISTORY OF WISCONSIN

admin — Tue, 15 Sep 2026 15:31:28 +0000

Though you've likely heard of the Louisiana Purchase, chances are you haven't thought about it in years—if ever. But this landmark land deal reshaped the future of the United States, transformed the lives of the Indigenous nations who called these lands home, and forever changed the course of early Wisconsin.

Author S.K. Kruse returns to the liminal with two new books

admin — Tue, 15 Sep 2026 14:08:31 +0000

Author S. K. Kruse is back with not one, but two new books that delve into the very essence of what it means to be human. In Of Beginnings and Ends, Kruse explores liminal ideas, spaces and states of being. In the story, a woman named Evy returns again and again to the vast and luminous Hall of Beginnings and Ends.

Peace, love and art

admin — Tue, 15 Sep 2026 14:07:51 +0000

Mount Horeb area artists Heidi Clayton, Jessica Curning-Kuenzi, Brenda Kraemer, Julie Raasch and Emily Reuter all took part in the fifth annual Paoli Art in the Park, presented by Southern Wisconsin Art Guild, Inc.

Village board continues mulling proposed recreation complex; eyes new fees on residents to cover looming budget gap

admin — Tue, 15 Sep 2026 14:07:02 +0000

The September 2 Village Board meeting was called to order by President Ryan Czyzewski. In addition to all board members attending, Gabe Altenbernd, Village Administrator, Bryan Kleinmaier, Village attorney, and Rob Wright, Village Engineer, were present.

New group meets to hash out fire budget shares

admin — Tue, 15 Sep 2026 14:06:34 +0000

At the August 19 Mount Horeb Area Joint Fire District (MHAJFD) meeting, the board formed a committee to discuss the Fire Protection and Rescue Service Agreement that was adopted in January of 2011.

A closer look at the local groups fighting to preserve the wild places that make Wisconsin special

admin — Tue, 08 Sep 2026 11:51:12 +0000

Mount Horeb resident Amy Mertz (left) is director of development and communications for Groundswell Conservancy, a conservation and land protection nonprofit. Photo contributed.

Since Knowles-Nelson funding expired this summer, Mount Horeb resident Amy Mertz said it’ll be more challenging to preserve land in Wisconsin.

Children’s Community School celebrates a half century

admin — Tue, 08 Sep 2026 11:47:31 +0000

For 50 years, Children’s Community School (CCS) has helped Mount Horeb-area children learn, grow and discover the world around them.

Village of Mount Horeb gets utility updates from department heads

admin — Tue, 08 Sep 2026 11:46:16 +0000

The Electric Department reported to the Utility Commission on its July activities.

With Measles in Wisconsin, DHS Stresses Importance of Vaccinating Schoolchildren

admin — Tue, 08 Sep 2026 11:45:46 +0000

As the new school year gets underway, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) is encouraging parents and caregivers to check their children’s vaccination records and make sure they are protected from serious vaccine-preventable diseases.

Wednesday Night Live concert series wraps up stellar 29th season

admin — Tue, 01 Sep 2026 11:37:01 +0000

Bigtooth. Photo by Ron Lutz II.

Wednesday Night Live recently wrapped up its 29th season. The free concert series, held at Grundahl Park, kicked off July 8 with the reggae rock group, TUGG and concluded with Bigtooth on August 19.

Board of education gets update on district renovation projects

admin — Tue, 01 Sep 2026 11:36:02 +0000

The Board of Education had its first meeting of the 2026-2027 school year August 17. The board met for its bi-weekly regular meeting August 17, where it received updates on district construction projects and approved its agenda and minutes for its August 3 regular and closed session board meetings, personnel transactions and consent agenda.